Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 02/14/2005 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2005 7:30 P.M. EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER COMMUNITY ROOM COMMISSION MEMBERS: Susan Dickman, Chair; Steve Mosow, Vice Chair; Lois Larson, Heather Olson, Ann Rorem, Soni Styrlund, Diane Zielke STUDENT MEMBERS: Casey Carlson, Evan Estrine, Carly Hofstedt COMMISSION STAFF: Sandy Werts, Staff Liaison Peggy Rasmussen, Recording Secretary SUPPORT STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director, Parks & Recreation Services; Laurie Obiazor, Manager of Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL Chair Dickman called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. Commissioners Olson and Mosow were excused. Student Member Hofstedt was excused. Commissioner Styrlund arrived at 7:50 p.m. George Schell was in attendance for part of the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Werts added a presentation from George Schell on "Eden Prairie Reads", under Petitions, Requests and Communications. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 2005 MEETING MOTION: Larson moved, seconded by Rorem, to approve the minutes of the Arts and Culture Commission, held on January 12, 2005, as published. Motion carried 4-0. IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Eden Prairie Players Update George Schell is a member of the Eden Prairie Players Advisory Committee, handling public relations. The current production, "I Remember Mama" is an ensemble production, with 21 in the cast, including seven children from third grade on up. It is being presented at the high school auditorium on February 18, 19, 25, 26 and 27. Publicity flyers have gone out to a number of locations, including senior residences and the high school drama club. The play has been advertised in the local newspapers and the Star Tribune's Arts & Leisure section. B. Eden Prairie Reads Schell reported that an estimated 1200-1500 people read last year's selection for Eden Prairie Reads, which was "Neither Wolf Nor Dog." He is on the committee that will be choosing the book to read this year from a final list of four books, ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES February 14, 2005 Page 2 selected by the steering committee, to be read in September and October. They are "Kite Runner", about a youth growing up prior to the Russian invasion of Afghanistan; "Ordinary People", by Judith Guest; "Population 485" by Mike Perry; and "Things They Carry" by Tim O'Brian. C. MRAC Workshop—Relationship Building through the Arts—April 20, 2005 Werts said she plans to attend this workshop on the development of arts programming, and she could request City approval to cover the cost for two Commissioners to attend. Rorem and Styrlund indicated an interest. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Arts Promotion Brochure Dickman and Werts met with Todd Pernsteiner, the owner of Pernsteiner Creative Group. He was previously on the Arts and Culture Commission and had expressed an interest in doing the whole booklet. His group prepared a set of recommendations, which Werts sent to the Commissioners for review. In the recommendations, Pernsteiner indicated that it would take $18,571 in ad sales to cover the design, printing and ad solicitation in order for the City to break even on its investment of $8,000. Pernsteiner is suggesting that the book be increased to 40 pages in order to sell enough ads to reach that amount. Irene Kelly, who is a volunteer with the CAPP (Comprehensive Arts Planning Process) Committee from the school district, was invited to the meetings with Todd Pernsteiner. She offered to check with Dr. Jean Luebke to see if CAPP will participate, perhaps by offering help with editing. She suggested applying for grants to provide seed money to help recoup some of the cost of the directory. Possible grantors include the Eden Prairie Foundation, the Minnesota Regional Arts Foundation and the McKnight Foundation. Larson inquired if it is mandatory to recover the $8,000 investment for the City. Werts replied no, but it is expected, and the amount budgeted in the future may be predicated on that. There would be a much lower cost involved if the job were done in-house, using City staff. However, in order to produce a professional looking publication, time and design would become issues for staff. Styrlund said she has talked to people working for Baker Associates; they would be willing to look at the cost of putting the directory together. Their prices might be more competitive. She could schedule a meeting with Werts and a representative of Baker to go over the project. Pernsteiner suggested that his group make pre-calls to potential advertisers to see if there is an interest in supporting an arts resource directory. Zielke said it would make sense to do that in order to see what the interest level is. Werts said major businesses, such as Super Valu or Redstone American Grill should be called. Dickman said she believed if one big business would provide anchor support for ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES February 14, 2005 Page 3 the publication, then small ones might be persuaded to add their support. Styrlund said an anchor supporter that is located in Eden Prairie would be a good idea. She offered to find out more about Redstone. It was agreed that developers, builders and real estate businesses might also be interested in advertising in the directory. Dickman said that with the start-up support from the City, if the McKnight Foundation also gave its support, advertisers might be persuaded that this is a good idea, and they would want to be included. Werts said the Commission could apply for a grant from McKnight, but their grants are not awarded until October. She said the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Foundation has a "New Initiative Grant." Applications are due in one week. Grant applications to the Eden Prairie Foundation are due in either March or April and awarded in April or May. Dickman recommended applying for all of these grants. There was discussion about how the front cover of the directory could reflect the art community. The Commissioners were asked to give Werts their ideas about this. Pernsteiner's time line for getting out the directory was also discussed, which recommends having it ready for distribution early in June. It was agreed to tie that in with "Arts and Antiques in the Garden" on June 11 at the J.R. Cummins Homestead. Dickman and Styrlund offered to contact other publishers to find out if the directory could be published at a lower price than Pernsteiner Creative Group. The next meeting with Pernsteiner is scheduled for February 23 with Werts, Dickman and Irene Kelly from the CAPP Committee. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. International Festival Werts said last year was the first International Festival. The planning committee had some problems finding food vendors, entertainment and cultural displays. Last year the focus was on new immigrants, but this year it will involve all cultural groups. About 600 attended the event. The date for this year's festival is Sunday, July 31. Werts invited the Arts and Culture Commission members to participate on the planning committee if they have an interest in the event. Styrlund offered to serve on the committee. Werts has hired Cyril Paul and the Calypso Monarchs as the headliner act. B. New Music Venues for Summer Werts reported that this year, in addition to Starring at Staring and KidStock concert series, the City is adding a new venue in each of the two new parks, Purgatory Creek Recreation Area and Riley-Jacques Farmstead. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES February 14, 2005 Page 4 At the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area, noontime concerts and speakers are planned for eight Fridays, from June 24 through August 12. It is hoped that people will buy or bring a lunch and enjoy eating it in a beautiful setting. There will be five solo performers providing acoustic music for adults and three children's performers. Werts is looking for speakers who would come on three of those Fridays and split the time with the performer. She has found an Eden Prairie author to speak on one date, and asked the Commissioners if they could suggest two more. Fitness speaker Lana Mosow was suggested. At the Riley-Jacques Farmstead, John Gertz would like to have an evening similar to the Prairie Home Companion, with an emcee/storyteller and music. The music would be bluegrass, jazz, old-time or something similar. It would be held at the barn on a Saturday evening once a month. Werts said catchy titles are needed for both new venues, and asked the Commissioners to let her know if they can suggest any. VII. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS A. Hot Summer Jazz Festival Werts reported that this summer the 151h annual Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie would be part of the Hot Summer Jazz Festival. The Jazz on the Prairie Big Band has been hosting this day of jazz and big band music for the last 14 years. Six bands each perform an hour of music. KBEM has hosted the event for several years, and through the station were tied into the Hot Summer Jazz Festival. This endorsement provided the City's event with some good promotion. Werts said the Hot Summer Jazz Festival approached her about being part of this program that will be going on all over the Minneapolis area. The date of the City's festival is Sunday, June 12, from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Staring Lake Amphitheater. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Rorem moved, seconded by Styrlund, to adjourn the meting. Motion carried 5-0. Dickman adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.